Candy Life and Storage

Candy questions: How long can I store candy?

Like food, candy and other confectionaries have a shelf life. While different types of candy have different storage requirements, generally the pantry is a safe place to stash sweets. Airtight storage in a cool place will ensure a longer shelf-life. A number of candies may be frozen as well. How long will candy keep? How to store candy? What is the shelf life of candy? Find the answers to these mysteries below.

General information is Provided by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). Shelf life for specific products is provided by the manufacturer of those products. The shelf life is the time when the manufacturer determines that the original quality of the product has started to deteriorate and is measured from date of manufacture.

Candy

Shelf Life

Comments

Altoids Gum

12 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Altoids Mints

18 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Altoids Sours

18 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Amorini Hearts

10 months

Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company

Big League Chew

9 - 15 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Big Red Gum

10 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Bubble Beeper

9 - 12 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Bubble Gum

4 - 6 months

Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company

Bubble Jug

9 - 12 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Butterscotches

1 year

Hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location.

Candy Bars

The average shelf for a chocolate candy bar is anywhere up to six (6) months, however, certain candies such as Necco Wafers, Smarties, Starburst Fruit Chews or Nerds can last considerably longer due to their consistency. Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company

Candy Corn

3 - 9 months

If the packaging has been opened, candy corn should be stored under the same
conditions as soft candies and will last approximately three to six months. Unopened, fresh
packages will last about 9 months.

Caramel

6 - 9 months

Should be kept covered, away from heat and light at room temperature. Stored properly
should last six to nine months, even up to 12 months in some cases.

Chocolate - Dark

1 - 2 years

Dark chocolate can be kept for 1 to 2 years if wrapped in foil and stored in a cool, dark
and dry place. A pantry or basement is an ideal location.

Chocolate - Milk

8 - 10 months

Chocolate - White

8 - 10 months

Crème Savers

9 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Crystal Craze

9 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Delites

13 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Dentyne Ice Gum

18 months

Provided by: Cadbury Schweppes

Doublemint Gum

10 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Eclipse Flash Breath Strips

12 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Eclipse Gum

12 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Extra

9 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Freedent Gum

10 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Ghirardelli Chocolate

Most Ghirardelli products have two codes printed on them. The first code, a five- or six-digit sequence, represents the product's lot code. The second code, a six-digit sequence, is the best-before date written as MMDDYY. To determine the best-before date, just read the second code.
Provided by: Ghirardelli

Godiva Chocolates

Godiva Chocolates will stay fresh tasting at room temperature for up to 2-3 weeks, as long as they are kept away from heat and humidity. Specifically, the temperature should not exceed 70 degrees (F) and the relative humidity should remain below 60%. Avoid direct sunlight. Provided by: Godiva

Gum

6 - 9 months

As long as the packaging remains sealed, most gum products have a shelf-life of six to nine
months. To maximize product freshness, keep chewing gum packages in a cool, dry place and out
of any direct sunlight.

Gummi Candy

6 months

Most gummi candies such as gummi bears, peachy penguins, strawberry puffs, etc are good for up to (six) months although they will diminish in quality if exposed high temperatures. Provided by: Buddy Bears Gummi Bears

Gummi Savers

9 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Hard Candy

1 year

Hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location.

Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape

6 - 12 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Jellied Candies

6 - 12 months

If the packaging has been opened, soft candies should be kept in a covered candy
dish, away from heat and light at room temperature (about 70 degrees). Stored in this manner, the
candy should last six to nine months. If the packaging has not been opened, soft sweets will last
approximately 12 months.

Jelly Belly Jelly Beans

8 months

Provided by: Jelly Belly Candy Company

Jordan Almonds (Confetti)

5 months

Although the shelf life is said to be up to five (5) months, we suggest that you do not hold them for longer than two (2) to three (3) months to ensure that they are absolutely fresh. Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company

Juicy Fruit Grapermelon

12 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Juicy Fruit Gum

10 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Juicy Fruit Strappleberry

12 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Lifesavers

12 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Lifesavers Bag

9 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Jolly Rancher Gummies

9 months

Provided by: The Hershey Company

Kit Kat Bites

9 months

Provided by: The Hershey Company

Kit Kat Wafer Bar

12 months

Provided by: The Hershey Company

Lollipops

6 - 12 months

Hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location.

M&M's

13 months

According to the manufacturer, the life span of M&M's is up to thirteen (13) months providing that it remains in it's factory sealed package and not exposed to heat. Although M&M's are durable, like any chocolate product, they will melt if exposed to high temperatures. Provided by: Mars, Incorporated

Milk Duds

9 months

Provided by: The Hershey Company

Mr. Goodbar Bites

9 months

Provided by: The Hershey Company

Novelty Candy

6 - 8 months

Most novelties candies are nothing more than candy such as bubble gum or dextrose encased in a plastic outer shell. The life span of most novelty candies is six to eight months and depends on the type of candy chosen. Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company

Orbit Gum

9 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Orbit White Gum

10 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Ouch

9 - 12 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Reese's Bites

11 months

Provided by: The Hershey Company

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

6 months

Provided by: The Hershey Company

Reese's Pieces

12 months

Provided by: The Hershey Company

Russell Stover Candies

All products contain a "Best Before" date. It can be found at either the end of the box (on the clear wrap) or in a "Best Before" panel. In the "Best Before" date, the first three letters show the month and the two digits show the year. Put the two together to see by when your candy should be purchased and consumed.
Provided by: Russell Stover Candies

Twizzlers Cherry Bites

7 months

Provided by: The Hershey Company

Twizzlers Strawberry Twists

7 months

Provided by: The Hershey Company

Unwrapped Bulk Candy

5 - 6 months

Most unwrapped bulk candies remains fresh for five (5) to six (6) months, however, certain items such as Candy Roll Wafers, Runts, Rock Candy Strings and Candy Blocks will last longer due to their consistency.
Candies such as Good & Plenty, Licorice, Mexican Hats or Red Dollars tend to taste better when fresh and we suggest that you store them for no longer than two (2) months.
Chocolate candies such as Bridge Mix, Chocolate Pretzels, Double Dipped Chocolate Peanuts or Malted Milk Balls tend to have a shorter shelf life and this applies to any candy that has peanuts as one of the ingredients. Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company

Whoppers Malted Milk Balls

9 months

Provided by: The Hershey Company

Winterfresh Gum

10 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

Wrapped Bulk Candy

5 - 6 months

Most wrapped bulk candy remains fresh for five (5) to six (six) months especially if it is a hard candy such as a ButterscotchDisk, Starlight Mint or Root Beer Barrel.
Softer candies such as Caramel Creams or Brach's Royals have a shorter shelf life due to their consistency. Certain candies such as Anise Squares, Brach's Ice Blue Mints, Jolly Ranchers or Sour Balls have a much longer shelf life and are ideal for long term use.
Provided by: McKeesport Candy Company

Wrigley's Spearmint Gum

10 months

Provided by: The Wrigley Company

York Bites

9 months

Provided by: The Hershey Company

The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For manufactured products, always follow manufacturer's recommendations and directions.